Graphics card fan whirring :/

Dolby

Dolby

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Can I use Q20?
Won't fry anything?
 
Yea I did ... it's driving me insane
 
I'd suggest doing a quick google search for 'lubricate graphic card fan'. From my research (been looking into it as well ever since my GPU fan started making rattling sounds), it seems like sewing machine oil is highly recommended. At least one source also recommended graphite grease, although I wouldn't know where to purchase some. Another source recommended Lithium grease, again, no idea where to get it.

Edit: Take a look at http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8508&highlight=wd40. I quickly scanned through it, and it seems like a decent guide.
 
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Once when I was doing work experience at a Computer store the guy at the back working with me to fix computers used baby oil to lubricate a CPU fan. Fan like brand new after that.
 
LazerFazer said:
I'd suggest doing a quick google search for 'lubricate graphic card fan'. From my research (been looking into it as well ever since my GPU fan started making rattling sounds), it seems like sewing machine oil is highly recommended. At least one source also recommended graphite grease, although I wouldn't know where to purchase some. Another source recommended Lithium grease, again, no idea where to get it.

Edit: Take a look at http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8508&highlight=wd40. I quickly scanned through it, and it seems like a decent guide.
Click to expand...

My uncle owns his own sewing machine repairs shop and all he use is Q20, so that would mean Q20 is OK, right??

@OP, cooking oil is a no, no...
 
Cooking oil it too thick get a vacuum cleaner and suck or take the card out take it to a garage an try and blow the dust out with the tyre pump...
 
beans100 said:
My uncle owns his own sewing machine repairs shop and all he use is Q20, so that would mean Q20 is OK, right??

@OP, cooking oil is a no, no...
Click to expand...

I use something called Q all in one... It's in a little bottle thing, and you apply the oil directly...

I think you won't have to worry though. Most oils will not be conductive, so you don't need to worry if you spill some on the circuit board, as these oils are made to work around things like electric motors...
 
q20 is fine, but will evaporate after a while... it is not a long term lubricant.
Sewing oil is also good and will be better than the above.
Blow as much dust as you can out first as any remaing dust becomes like sandpaper once you apply the lubricant.
Longer term solution is to replace the fan.
Remove the old fan, buy a new high speed case fan and glue that sucker right over where the old one was.
You will most likely even get better cooling temps with the case fan solution.
 
I had an intermittent whirring card fan until this morning, when my PSU blew up ( It was spectacular, it arced to the case for a few moments ). New PSU, no more whirring.

Anecdotal evidence, for sure, and I am certain that they aren't related. But it may be an omen! :P
 
+1 to sewing oil.
+1 not to use Q20. Doesn't help for long.
I normally replace fan, but if it is not easy to find. only surgery is long term solution.
Remove brand sticker. It uncovers bearings. Using pair pins (needles) remove plastic key holding rotor in place. Clean bearings with solvent. It yould be methylated spirit or cleaning benzine. Apply sewing oil and put it back.
 
No people, stop this nonsense. NO OIL in any form should be used in any computer components.
It causes components to overheat and blow up. So if you love your PC like I know you do. DO NOT use OIL with computer.

Oil sprayed inside fans also bad idea. Oil finds it's way onto your cables and into your motherboard and harddrive.

People I am talking from experience. Some technician sprayed oil in my computer.
 
the problem with these fans come when the lubrication wears off.. thats when things get noisy.. the other problem is, they became noisy because the oil, which is what is used in most cases, leaked out.. if you lubricate a bearing, it will just get noisy again, assuming you managed to get it lubricated properly in the first place, if you did not remove the fan off the shaft.. in most cases removing the fan only makes things worse..

here is a nice guide explaining the different bearing types.. note how sleeve bearings are not great for being mounted horizontal, which is how most graphics cards are mounted.. thus, ensure your graphics card fans does not have a sleeve bearing if you want the noise to stay away for a while.. and note the temps as well.. higher temps affect lubricants adversely..

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supplies-101,4193-18.html
 
Yes you can. Did so before. Its a bandaid solution though...the time between each bandaid gradually gets shorter & shorter.

But in principle it works and should be good for another 6 months extension to the fan's life and/or your sanity.

tiandup said:
Use cooking oil instead just to make sure. The Q20 mix could be conductive. :wtf:
Click to expand...
haha dear god no

beans100 said:
My uncle owns his own sewing machine repairs shop and all he use is Q20, so that would mean Q20 is OK, right??
Click to expand...
I'd feel more comfortable using actual sewing machine oil (like the kind that comes with Elna machines) but yeah should work.
 
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